Man Claiming to be Officer Kidnaps, Sexually Assaults Two Women

A man claiming to be a police officer kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman in Fridley before releasing her, the Fridley Police Department announced Monday afternoon.

The Minneapolis woman was walking to her vehicle at about 1 p.m. Saturday on the 6400 block of Fifth Street NE at about 1 p.m. when a man who identified himself as a police officer approached her.

The suspect is described as a black man who was about 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with a thin beard. He was wearing a dark cap, a dark sweatshirt, dark sunglasses and blue jeans. The man was driving a smaller, dark colored SUV.

There was a similar incident reported to the University of Minnesota Police that may involve the same suspect and vehicle. In that case, a man with a similar description and wearing a badge approached a woman near the university, according to the Star Tribune. His SUV had a computer dashboard like a police vehicle.

The man saw the student walking at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday near Eighth Street and 15th Avenue SE. He warned her against walking alone and offered her a ride, drove her to a remote location and sexually assaulted her.

Fridley police remind residents that a real police officer will identify the name of the agency he or she works for and carry a badge and identification credentials. Those who are approached by someone claiming to be an officer can ask to see the officer’s credentials. If the officer is in plain clothes or an unmarked car, residents can call 911 to verify the credentials or ask for a uniformed officer or marked car before cooperating.

Anyone with information on the Fridley case should call the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office or Fridley police at 763-427-1212. For the Minneapolis case, call 612-692-TIPS or use the department’s new app and texting service, MPD TIP 411.